Controlled odor generator

ABSTRACT

A control led odor generator, comprising a central processing unit, at least one micropump unit, a sensor unit and a fan. The micropump unit is housed in a casing containing odorous fluid and has a micropump array for ejecting the odorous fluid in tiny droplets. The central processing unit regulates operation of the micropump unit, allowing to control timing quantity and mixture of spread odor. The sensor unit provides the central processing unit with environmental data, like temperature, air density and humidity, as well as human body states for controlling the micropump unit. Environmental changes are followed by a change of spraying of odor, and varying taste and demand are adapted to.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a controlled odor generator,particularly to a controlled odor generator having a micropump forcreating and mixing suitable odors according to any setting orenvironment.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] With quality of life on the increase, more and more techniquesare applied to control and improve the environment. Conventionally,environment control is performed with respect to lighting andtemperature. Research, however, has identified odor as an importantfactor influencing human well-being, therefore in recent years effortshave been started to use odors to affect living conditions.

[0005] Conventional devices for generating odor mainly use an odoroussubstance which is passively spread in the surrounding air either freelyor along with vapor. However, a passive spreading method does not allowfor controlling density or distribution of the odorous substance in thesurrounding air, and there is no way to respond to changingenvironmental conditions. Thus the odorous substance is often wasted andis applicable in closed rooms only.

[0006] Another type of conventional odor generator uses a sprinklingdevice in conjunction with a timer for spreading a certain quantity ofan odorous substance in the surrounding air during a certain time span.This is performed by mechanical ejecting of droplets using gas pressure.However, this method leads to droplets which, being too large andnonuniform, are not evenly dispersed in the surrounding air and aretherefore used inefficiently. Control of spreading of the odoroussubstance is limited to total quantity and time, as well, restrictingpossible applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has a sprayer driven by a micropump whichis controlled by a central processing unit connected with a sensor. Bysensing and processing environmental data, like temperature, air densityand humidity, the micropump is controlled to eject droplets at suitabletime intervals in a suitable quantity for generating a certain odor.Then a microfan or external ventilation spreads the odor. Alternatively,the central processing unit is manually controlled to generate odor. Thecontrolled odor generator of the present invention is manufactured usinga micromechanical process, has small dimensions and is suitable for massproduction, thus being usable in personal devices generating largevarieties of odor.

[0008] The present invention receives signals from an external sensorrepresenting environmental conditions. The signals are processed in theprocessing unit for controlling timing and quantity of ejecting odorousfluid. Environmental changes are followed by a change of spraying.Several micropumps ejecting different odorous substances are combinable,with ejected quantities thereof being variable to generate a large rangeof odors.

[0009] An example of application of the present invention is generatingodor inside a car. Driving parameters, atmospheric data from theinterior of the car and the state of the driver are monitored, and arefreshing odor is issued at a suitable time to activate the driver andpassengers, or, if an abnormal state of the driver is detected, astimulating odor is generated to alert the driver and maintain safety.

[0010] In another embodiment, the present invention is used inconjunction with entertainment equipment, like stereo and video devices,to enhance lively experience by odor.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the present invention is portable andused in conjunction with medical equipment, having a disposable sprayerallowing a patient to inhale medicine.

[0012] The present invention can be more fully understood by referenceto the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the controlled odorgenerator of the present invention in the first embodiment.

[0014]FIGS. 2 and 2A are schematic illustrations of the micropump of thepresent invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a front view of the micropump of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a conventional fhermalbubble micropump.

[0017]FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of a conventionalpiezoelectric micropump.

[0018]FIG. 3C is a sectional view of the micropump of the presentinvention, taken along line 3C-3C in FIG. 3.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the controlled odorgenerator of the present invention in the second embodiment.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the controlled odor generator ofthe present invention in the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the controlled odor generator of the presentinvention mainly comprises: at least one micropump unit 10; a centralprocessing unit 30 for controlling the micropump units 10, having aconnector 32 for receiving signals; and a control panel 35, allowingmanual setting of signals.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the micropump units 10 comprises: acasing 11, filled with odorous fluid 12; a base 15, on which the casing11 is set, so that the casing 11 is replaceable; and a micropump array13, vaporizing and ejecting the odorous fluid 12 by micropulsation, thusgenerating odor in the environment.

[0023] In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, themicropump array 13 is integrated with the casing 11 and is thus replacedalong with the casing 11. Another embodiment of the present invention,shown in FIG. 2A, has a micropump unit 10A with a casing 11A and amicropump array 13A which are separated, being connected by a tube 16A.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, the micropump array 13 is manufactured usinga micro-fabrication process, having a plurality of elements arranged inrows, with corresponding nozzles 14, so that tiny droplets are ejected.Thus the odorous fluid 12 is ejected as fine vapor and evenlydistributed in the surrounding air. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, themicropump array 13 is a fhermal bubble micropump or a piezoelectricmicropump.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a fhermal bubble micropump, which isconventional, has a substrate 70, enclosing one chamber 71 or aplurality of chambers 71, a heating plate 73 and a conduit (not shown),allowing odorous fluid to enter the chambers 71. Furthermore, a nozzleplate 72 is glued to the substrate 70, having one nozzle 14 or aplurality of nozzles 14, with each nozzle 14 being connected with one ofthe chambers 71. When odorous fluid enters the chambers 71, intermittentheating of the heating plate 73 vaporizes the odorous fluid, causingtiny droplets 75 thereof to be ejected through the nozzles 14, so thatodor is spread in the surrounding air.

[0026] Referring again to FIG. 3B, a piezoelectric micropump has asubstrate 80, enclosing a chamber 81 which is covered by a nozzle plate82. The nozzle plate 82 has a nozzle 14. A vibrating plate 83 is placedopposite to the nozzle plate 82, with a piezoelectric plate 84 beingattached to the vibrating plate 83. Vibrations thereof causes tinydroplets 85 of an odorous fluid in the chamber 81 to be ejected throughthe nozzle 14.

[0027] The micropump units 10 of the present invention effectivelygenerate vapor in tiny droplets at preset times and quantities, readilyresponding to control signals from the central processing unit 30. Thusodor is generated in predefined time intervals, quantities and mixture.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the present invention in a secondembodiment additionally has a sensor unit 20 with built-in sensors 21,connected with the connector 32. The sensors 21 measure environmentalparameters, like temperature, humidity, human states, lighting and aircomposition, which are transmitted to the central processing unit 30.The central processing unit 30 generates control signals based on thesensed environmental parameters controlling the micropump units 10, sothat generated odor responds to environmental conditions. A fan 40spreads odorous fluid 12 in the surrounding air.

[0029] For operating the controlled odor generator of the presentinvention, each micropump unit 10 is filled with a certain kind ofodorous fluid 12. Separate control of each micropump unit 10 by thecentral processing unit 30 allows to mix various odors, which areeffectively spread by the fan 40, creating a range of well-definedodors.

[0030] The present invention, by employing micropump units, a sensorunit and a central processing unit, generates odors for persons invarious states and under varying conditions in a closed space, preciselycontrolling quantity and flavor. Thus, responding to environmentalchange, well-being of persons is enhanced, and a healthy effect isachieved. Furthermore, by using the present invention in conjunctionwith equipment for visual and acoustic effects, lively scent is added toa sensual experience.

[0031] While the invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modificationsor variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit ofthis invention which is defined by the appended claims.

1. A controlled odor generator, comprising: a central processing unit;and at least one micropump unit, each having a casing and a micropumparray; wherein said central processing unit controls ejecting of a fluidin tiny droplets by said at least one micropump unit for changing odorin surrounding air.
 2. A controlled odor generator according to claim 1,further comprising a sensor unit having a plurality of sensors forsensing data, such as environmental temperature, humidity and lightingas well as human body temperature and heartbeat, said data being used tocontrol operation of said at least one micropump unit.
 3. A controlledodor generator according to claim 1, wherein said casing of said atleast one micropump unit is filled with odorous fluid.
 4. A controlledodor generator according to claim 1, wherein for each of said at leastone micropump unit said micropump array is connected with said casing,allowing to vaporize and eject odorous fluid stored in said casing.
 5. Acontrolled odor generator according to claim 1, further comprising a fanfor evenly distributing odorous fluid ejected by said at least onemicropump unit.
 6. A controlled odor generator according to claim 1,wherein said central processing unit receives sensor signals forcontrolling said at least one micropump unit.
 7. A controlled odorgenerator according to claim 1, wherein said at least one micropumpunits eject odorous fluids of various kinds.
 8. A controlled odorgenerator according to claim 1, wherein for each of said at least onemicropump units said casing is detachable from a base for easyreplacement.
 9. A controlled odor generator according to claim 1,wherein for each of said at least one micropump units said casing isintegrated with said micropump array.
 10. A controlled odor generatoraccording to claim 1, wherein for each of said at least one micropumpunits said casing is separate from said micropump array, being connectedby a tube with said micropump array.
 11. A controlled odor generatoraccording to claim 1, wherein said central processing unit controls timecycles, quantities and mixtures of odorous fluid to generate odorsaccording to individual taste and demand.
 12. A controlled odorgenerator according to claim 1, used in conjunction with equipment forvisual and acoustic effects for additionally generating odor.
 13. Acontrolled odor generator according to claim 1, used in conjunction withmedical equipment, allowing a patient to inhale medicine at well-definedtimes.
 14. A controlled odor generator according to claim 1, whereinsaid central processing unit is connected with a control panel.